The Big Interview: Meet Editor of Esquire Alex Bilmes

What is the best part of being the editor of Esquire?
Access. Doors are open to you, people take your call, they take you seriously. (At least until you open your mouth.) You can meet anyone in the world you want to meet. It’s quite extraordinary. That’s what I love about it. That and the freebies.

You’ve had everyone from Kate Moss to Tony Blair gracing Esquire, what qualities do you look for in your cover stars?
It’s not about liking or admiring them, necessarily. It’s about finding them interesting or intriguing in some way, and wanting to know more. If I’m interested in them then I figure others probably are too. That’s about it.

What are the challenges of being a magazine editor?
I find matching my socks with my tie every morning pretty exhausting. (That’s a joke…. It’s actually quite easy.)


What is the perfect gift for an Esquire gentleman?
A subscription to Britain’s most stylish and sophisticated men’s magazine. (And also a subscription to Esquire. Boom, boom.)


What is your favourite festive feature in the December issue?
We’re not big on festive — every year I try to persuade the art department to put some snow on the logo, every year they say no — but we do have an unbeatable Christmas gadget guide: for the man who doesn’t (yet) have everything.



How will the Esquire team be celebrating once you’re wrapped up for Christmas?
Oh, you know, quiet night in with a cup of warm milk and a Midsomer Murders box set.

Why would a subscription to esquire make an ideal Christmas gift?
It’s the gift that keeps on giving! It’ll make you smarter, more stylish, better informed, funnier and sexier. And all for the price of a round in the pub.

Santa's little helpers can buy a gift subscription to Esquire with 39% currently off cover price

Images: Esquire